Laminar composite and methods of producing same

ABSTRACT

A laminar composite comprising a transparent or translucent cover layer, a base layer, and a layer of reptile shed sandwiched between the base layer and the cover layer. The base layer, cover layer and/or reptile shed are provided on one side with an adhesive, such as a heat-activatable adhesive, to bond the three layers together to form a flexible laminar composite.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/290,787, filed Oct. 11, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.13/480,330 filed May 24, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,486,984, issued Nov.8, 2016 and entitled “Laminar Composite and Method of Producing Same,”which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/490,594 filed May 27, 2011 and entitled “Snake Skin Shed Snake HookGrip” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/535,344 filed Sep.15, 2011 and entitled “Biomeld,” all of which are fully incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a laminar composite, and to a method ofproducing such a laminar composite, for protecting a layer of reptileshed. Skin shed from a snake or other reptile is very fragile andbrittle, and hence has a limited life.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to be able topreserve fragile or delicate reptile shed while providing a durableproduct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This object, and other objects and advantages of the present invention,will appear more clearly from the following specification in conjunctionwith the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the basic build-up of thelaminar composite of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary use of the laminar composite of the presentapplication; and

FIG. 3 shows another exemplary application of the laminar composite ofthe present application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The laminar composite of the present application comprises a transparentor translucent cover layer, preferably a vinyl material, a base layer,which can also be of vinyl or other polymeric material, and a layer ofreptile shed sandwiched between the base layer and the cover layer,wherein all three layers are bonded together to form a flexible laminarcomposite, with the scale side of the reptile shed being visible throughthe cover layer.

The method of producing the laminar composite of the present applicationincludes the steps of placing a cover layer onto a flat surface toprovide an exposed side of the cover layer facing away from the flatsurface; placing the scale side of a layer of reptile shed against theexposed side of the cover layer, with an adhesive type material beingdisposed between the reptile shed layer and the cover layer; and placinga base layer onto that side of the reptile shed layer that faces awayfrom the cover layer such that the reptile shed layer is sandwichedbetween the cover layer and the base layer to form a layered composite,wherein an adhesive type material is disposed between the base layer andthe reptile shed layer. The layered composite can be heated to bond thethree layers together to form the laminar composite.

Further specific features of the present application will be describedin detail subsequently.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the laminar composite of thepresent application is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.While FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the basicconstruction of the laminar composite 10, FIGS. 2 and 3 show exemplaryuses of the laminar composite product itself.

With regard to FIG. 1, shown are the three layers of the laminarcomposite 10. In particular, the reference numeral 12 indicates atransparent or translucent cover layer, the reference numeral 14indicates a base layer, and the reference numeral 16 indicates a reptileshed, which is sandwiched between the cover layer 12 and the base layer14.

The laminar composite 10 preserves the reptile shed 16 while providing aflexible and durable product that has numerous applications. By way ofexample only, the laminar composite 10 can be used as educationalmaterial, as well as a substitute for vinyl, leather and textilematerials, for example as a covering for a cell phone or as a cell phonecase, computer skins, covers for electronic products, purses, wallets,sunglasses, clothing, etc.

The transparent or translucent cover layer 12 is preferably comprised ofa vinyl compound, including polymerized vinyl compounds. Examples ofmaterials that can be used for the cover layer 12 includeTherm O WebVinyl—Gloss, Therm O Web Vinyl—Matte, Heat N Bond Vinyl—Gloss, Heat NBond Vinyl—Matte, Pellon Vinyl—Gloss, Lenderink Dribond, Clear-CoatOverlay DriFilm, Clear Vinyl, and the like.

Similarly, the base layer 14 is also comprised of a flexible material,including vinyl compounds. By way of example, suitable materials for thebase layer 14 include Spectra Eco-Film, Spectra Flex, ThermoFlex Plus,ThermoFlex Plus, ThermoFlex Xtra, ThermoFlex Sport, Cad-Cut Sportfilmlite, Cad-Cut Premium Plus, Cad-Cut Neon, Cad-Cut Fashion Film, Cad-CutFashion Film Electric and Thermo-Flock.

Depending upon the use that is to be made of the final laminar compositeproduct, the thickness of the cover layer 12 and base layer 14 can rangefrom 0.010 mil up to 20 mil.

In order to bond the three layers 12, 14 and 16 together, an adhesive isfirst of all provided between the cover layer 12 and the reptile shed16. Pursuant to one presently preferred embodiment, in this regard thatside of the cover layer 12 that is to face the reptile shed 16 isprovided with a heat-activated adhesive, which is to be activated in amanner to be described subsequently. The cover layer 12 can either bepurchased with such a heat-activated adhesive already present on oneside, or a heat activated adhesive could also be sprayed onto one sideof the cover layer. Examples of heat-activated adhesives include Spray NBond Fusible Adhesive and Heat N Bond Fusible Adhesive. An adhesive isalso present between the base layer 14 and the reptile shed 16 to ensurebonding together of these layers upon subsequent heat treatment. Inparticular, that side of the base layer 14 that is to face the reptileshed 16 is either provided with a heat-activated adhesive whenpurchased, or such an adhesive can be sprayed onto one side of the baselayer 14. Although heat-activated adhesives are convenient to use, itshould be understood that the adhesive could be any other suitablestrong yet flexible adhesive, especially between the base layer 14 andthe reptile shed 16. A clear adhesive (i.e. one that will not yellow)must be used between the cover layer 12 and the reptile shed 16. Theglue or adhesive can be applied in any suitable manner. Examples offurther suitable adhesives include Pronty Clear Textile Adhesive,Plasti-dip (clear), Triple Thick, and the like.

The following describes one way of producing the laminar composite 10 ofthe present application.

Example

In this example, the material that was to be used for the cover layer12, here by way of example Pellon vinyl fuse, was purchased with anadhesive already provided on one side. Therefore, to start the process,the protective layer over the adhesive had first to be peeled off,exposing a tacky or sticky side of the material. The material was thenplaced onto a flat surface, with the sticky side facing up. The scaleside of the reptile shed, here a gaboon viper shed, was then placed uponthe sticky side of the cover layer 12, and was gently pressed againstthe cover layer. For the base layer, in this example a material with aheat-activatable sticky on one side was utilized, in particular SpectraEco Film, a heat transfer vinyl, in this case a polyurethane basedproduct. Again, the protective layer was first peeled off, and thesticky side of the material was then placed against, and pressed gentlyonto, the reptile shed 16 between the cover layer 12 and the base layer14. To bond the three layers together, the layered materials were placedin a heat fusion machine and heated to a temperature that was specificfor the materials being utilized; in this example, the layered materialswere heated for 12 seconds at 305° F. The outer side of the base layer14 was scraped to remove any air bubbles.

A laminar composite produced in this manner is then ready to be cut toany desired size for its intended use. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the laminar composite could be used to form a covering for ahandle, or for a cell phone case. The laminar composite is alsoparticularly suitable for making wallets, purses, and laptop skins. Thelaminar composite could be glued and/or sewn to an object, or adouble-sided tape could be disposed between the laminar composite andthe object to be covered thereby.

The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure ofprovisional application 61/490,594 filed May 27, 2011, as well asprovisional application 61/535,344 filed Sep. 15, 2011.

The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to thespecific disclosure of the specification and drawings, but alsoencompasses any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A laminar composite, comprising: a transparent or translucent coverlayer; and a reptile shed layer comprising a scale side and an innerside, wherein the transparent or translucent cover layer comprises asolidified liquid polymer bonded to the scale side of the reptile shedlayer, and wherein the scale side of the reptile shed is visible throughthe cover layer.
 2. The laminar composite of claim 1, furthercomprising: a base layer bonded to the inner side of the reptile shedlayer.
 3. The laminar composite of claim 2, wherein the base layercomprises a solidified liquid polymer.
 4. The laminar composite of claim2, wherein the base layer comprises a flexible polymeric film, whereinthe base layer is bonded to the inner side of the reptile shed layerwith layer of adhesive disposed between the base layer and the innerside of the reptile shed layer.
 5. The laminar composite of claim 3,wherein the solidified liquid polymer bonded to the inner side of thereptile shed layer and the solidified liquid polymer bonded to the scaleside of the reptile shed layer are the different.
 6. The laminarcomposite of claim 1, wherein the solidified liquid polymer comprisesone or more thermoplastic rubbers.
 7. The laminar composite of claim 1,wherein the solidified liquid polymer further comprises at least onepetrolatum.
 8. The laminar composite of claim 6, wherein thethermoplastic rubbers comprise styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene blockcopolymers and/or methylmethacrylate copolymer materials.
 9. The laminarcomposite of claim 7, wherein the petrolatum comprises polybutene. 10.The laminar composite of claim 1, wherein the solidified liquid polymeris solidified by evaporation of a solvent.
 11. The laminar composite ofclaim 1, wherein the solidified liquid polymer comprises a curedthermoset elastomeric compound.
 12. A laminar composite, comprising: atransparent or translucent cover layer; a base layer; and a reptile shedlayer comprising a scale side and an inner side, wherein the base layercomprises a solidified liquid polymer bonded to the inner side of thereptile shed layer, and wherein the a transparent or translucent coverlayer is bonded to the scale side of the reptile shed layer and thescale side of the reptile shed is visible through said cover layer. 13.The laminar composite of claim 12, wherein the base layer is transparentor translucent.
 14. The laminar composite of claim 12, wherein the baselayer is opaque.
 15. The laminar composite of claim 14, wherein the baselayer is at least partially visible from the scale side of the reptileshed layer.
 16. The laminar composite of claim 12, wherein thetransparent or translucent cover layer comprises a flexible polymericfilm, wherein the transparent or translucent cover layer is bonded tothe scale side of the reptile shed layer with layer of adhesive disposedbetween the transparent or translucent cover layer and the scale side ofthe reptile shed layer.
 17. The laminar composite of claim 12, whereinthe solidified liquid polymer comprises one or more thermoplasticrubbers.
 18. The laminar composite of claim 12, wherein the solidifiedliquid polymer further comprises at least one petrolatum.
 19. Thelaminar composite of claim 12, wherein the solidified liquid polymer issolidified by evaporation of a solvent.
 20. The laminar composite ofclaim 11, wherein the solidified liquid polymer comprises a curedthermoset elastomeric compound.